HELP!!!! Duck and Chicken in a Dorm

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shinygirl

shinygirl

In the Brooder
6 Years
Jun 23, 2013
36
0
34
So, hopefully my title caught someone's attention... My roommates boyfriend and his roommates on our university campus thought it would be fun to buy a duckling and chick, and keep them in a cardboard box in their dorm. Now, they are saying that when they get older, they are going to give them away. I told them that I would take them, because I am worried they have already "buddied up," and I do not want them to separate. Can a duckling and chick buddy up like hens? I currently have four hens, about 3 years old, and am pretty experienced raising chicks. Ducks, on the other hand, are a new subject. I know you can't just let them go at a pond, but I do have a couple in my neighborhood, right in front of my house. Any advice on how to keep a duck and a chick? I can get some kind of kiddy pool for my backyard, but how would I introduce the chick and duck to my hens? Can I keep the duck in our coop without a pool and let her out during the day to be in the kiddy pool? Thank y’all!
 
I've no experience with ducks, but plenty with chickens. I've read on here that male ducks will try to, and sometimes successfully mate, with pullets. This isn't good as their anatomy will damage the hen. Is the duck a male? If so, when he becomes sexually mature, he may try to mate the hens. If not, then they should be able to co-exist once everyone gets used to each other. Knowing this, if the duck is a male and he tries to mate the hens, then you may have to make other arrangements for him.
 
Thank you! I will try and find out, I think he got the duckling from a Carolina Fresh Farms, and I know they say their chicks are pullets... I'm praying its a female! Do you know if the duck will be okay in a coop? Or will the duck need 24/7 access to water? Right now, I don't believe the duckling has any access to water... I'm trying to help the boys out, without letting them see how freaked out I am.
th.gif
 
Ducks need only deep enough water to dunk their nares(nostrils)....
...they grab their food and dunk it in the water to 'chew'.
They make a wet mess, which can be a problem for chicks/chickens.
They don't need 'swimming' water.
 
Thank you! So, my parents have said no:( BUT my friend has two ducklings right now, does anyone think its a good idea to see if they can take the duckling and the chick? Maybe the chick can grow up thinking its a duck? Again, if the ducklings are all girls...
 
I suggest you find someone well versed in poultry to take these birds...introducing single birds can be tricky.
 
This will hopefully be introducing a pair (1 duckling and one chick) to another pair (2 ducklings that are about 6 weeks old). Unfortunately, I do not know of anyone personally to take them to that is more experienced, and I go home this Friday and hope to take them with me, so that the boys do not release them, because that is what they were planning to do.
 
Single chicken with ducks might not be a good idea....unless the person knows how to deal with the different housing needs.
Integrating any birds can be problematic.

Could always call animal control and ask them for options.
There are often 'rescuers' that will take 'easter' birds that are purchased as cute little babies for easter gifts then not provided appropriate care and housing.

Kudos to you for trying to get them taken care of responsibly......smack those boys on the head for me. SHM.
 
Thank you! I am afraid thats what I will have to do. I can't believe they were just going to drop them both off somewhere. Does anyone know if writing an email or starting a petition will help stores like Tractor Supply or Carolina Fresh Farms better look into the homes these babies are going to? At least require the purchase of proper food or a care packet?
 

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